The actor, who attended the European premiere in Dublin with the film's director Steven Spielberg, insisted he would be the first to congratulate whoever wins the coveted award. He said: "There are very, very strong films with such wonderful performances, all of which I have seen. And I would be the first person to applaud any of my fellow nominees if they win."

The 55-year-old won his first best actor Oscar in 1989 for My Left Foot, in which he played Irish writer and painter Christy Brown, and scooped his second six years ago for the critically-acclaimed There Will Be Blood.

Winning a golden statuette on February 24 for his role in historical biopic Lincoln will see him become the first star ever to secure three best actor Academy Awards.

As the snow began to fall over the red carpet at the Savoy cinema, Day-Lewis described working on his latest role as a pure pleasure. He said: "Exploring that man's life, it was a real pleasure."

Earlier this month, the actor won a coveted Golden Globe for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln, who fought for the abolition of slavery during the American Civil War. The Golden Globes are widely considered an indicator of the results at the Oscars, making him the bookies' favourite to win.

Day-Lewis, who lives in Co Wicklow and holds both Irish and British citizenship, encouraged director Spielberg and his co-star Sally Field to hold the movie's European premiere in Dublin. Up to 900 invited guests attended a banquet following the screening, where props from the blockbuster were auctioned to raise money for the Wicklow Hospice Foundation, of which Day-Lewis is a patron.

Lincoln's handmade knife, white gloves and miniature soldiers were among the items donated by Spielberg to his close actor friend. Funds raised will go towards building a hospice in Wicklow, where the star lives with his family.